Greg Clarke wants England to reach the Euro 2020 semi-finals at least - contradicting his claim earlier this month that he is not interested in targets.
The FA’s new chairman has urged England to ensure they get to the business end of their own party in four years’ time, as Wembley will host both the semi-final and the final of Euro 2020.
This summer's Euros ended in humilation for the Three Lions as tiny Iceland put them out at the last-16 stage.
Speaking at the launch of the competition’s new logo in London, he said: “We hope to emulate the last time we hosted a major tournament in 1996.
“We recognise the significance of UEFA’s choice and pledge to do all we can to live up to the rich history and tradition of this wonderful competition in its 60th year.”
Twenty years ago, Terry Venables led England to the semi-finals of Euro 96 where they were beaten on penalties by Germany.
Germany went on to defeat the Czech Republic in the final at Wembley, the last time the national stadium hosted the final of the European Championship.
But earlier this month Clarke dismissed a target set by his predecessor Greg Dyke, of reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2020 and winning in Qatar.
Clarke said: ‘I’m not going to put pressure on Sam Allardyce and say we are going to win this tournament or that tournament but I want to see a competitive team.
“If I go back to Italy in 1990, when we went to the semis, overachieved, played really well, were unlucky to lose on penalties to Germany, everyone was proud of the team. We didn’t win but we competed and did really well.
“All I want from England teams is they compete and win games and go as far as their talent can take them.”
Euro 2020 will take place across 13 European cities with the climax in London. FA CEO Martin Glenn has admitted there is “added pressure” on England to qualify.
Glenn said: “We have to qualify but I feel very confident we will, but we will take nothing for granted, we need to be good. We want to win it.
“We will turn up at every event as contenders. That has to be our expectation. You cannot say you are going to win it, but our ambition is to turn up as reasonable favourites.
“We have pretty good success in qualifying for recent tournaments, which is not so much as a challenge as the tournament, yet there is added pressure.
“But you want to get to the Euros wherever they are, even in the Faroes. Given the depth of football in this country, we should be there fighting it out.”